brain dump / notes & rabbit holes
things i spent too long researching
8 entries
The Best Sport Sunscreens Actually Backed by Lab Testing (Not Reddit Hype)
I went deep on which sport sunscreens are actually lab-verified by independent testing organizations — not blog posts or Amazon reviews that could be bots. The results changed what I buy.
The Best Washing Machine Cleaner, According to Sources That Actually Test Things
I got tired of SEO listicles and bot-filled Amazon reviews, so I dug into only the sources with real testing methodologies and numerical scores to find the one washing machine cleaner that actually wins everywhere.
The Math Behind Ice Cream and Boba Loyalty Points
I broke down every redemption option at Soft Swerve and HeyTea point-by-point to find the best bang per loyalty point — turns out the flashiest rewards are almost always the worst value.
The Optimal Korean Spa Routine: What Each Station Does and How to Sequence Them
I broke down exactly what each Korean spa station does for your body, then built a phased 90-minute routine that maximizes the contrast-therapy effect.
I Cross-Referenced Every Rating Platform to Find the Best Istanbul Hotel Under $200
I cross-referenced Booking.com, TripAdvisor, Expedia, and KAYAK scores for every decent hotel in Sultanahmet — no blogs, no Reddit, only verified-stay ratings. The winner surprised me: TripAdvisor's #1 wasn't actually the best.
Best Place to Stay in Delhi for a Tourist
I ignored Reddit and blog spam and only looked at professional rating agencies to find 3 Delhi hotels where the food won't wreck you. The winner surprised me.
The Racquet Setup That Fixed My Overhitting Problem
I spent way too long researching racquets, strings, and dampeners for a 3.5 player who can't stop launching balls into the back fence. Here's what the actual data says.
Is the Japan Rail Pass Still Worth It?
After the 2023 price hike, the JR Pass math changed. A quick break-even guide so you don't overpay for trains you won't take.